had a little spill...

[Keen]

son of a bitch

so last night I just pulled out of the supermarket carpark and I'm riding along as normal doing like 35, when I casually brake as the car in front is slowing for a zebra crossing...... WHACK.... the front wheel just locks up instantly and I go down on the right side, smashing the mirror and indicator. The bike is pretty much ok, but thats cos it landed on my foot, the big toe of which is now purple, so I got it bandaged at work by the medical centre and I'm gonna get it x-rayed tonight... I also have all manner of cuts and bruises on my hand and arm. To top it off, I just bought a new lid (roof boxer) literally a week ago, now its got a tiny little white scratch on its otherwise shiny new finish- fuck.

But I don't have a clue what happened, I wasn't braking hard, I'm in the south of france so the road was dry and clean, the brake just malfunctioned in some way and instantly locked the wheel. After I picked the bike up the front brake was just gone, you can pull the lever to the grip and nothing happens, so I had to coast home using the rear brake. I haven't had a chance to look at my bike yet, couldn't be arsed last night and I had to get to work this morning, does anyone know what the hell might of happened to it?

I am not having a good week
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Sadie]

Don't know what happened, but I'm glad you are OK.


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With experience comes age.

[Danny]

Unlucky mate, but as Sadie said, at least you are ok.

[stryker]

That could of been the motorway, I think your lucky.

Had your brake pads done recently? Had they been squeaking when applied before that accident?
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Now what?

[jonboy]

Could have been diesel on the road, from what you describe.

[Keen]

I checked the road afterwards, I thought it was diesel/oil as well but it was clean.

It was definately something with the brakes, like I said they don't work now, they're just dead, but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet- didn't feel like messing with the bike last night when I was licking my wounds.

It was making a slight noise on the way there, I meant to check it when I got there but I was in a rush and forgot, paid the price I suppose. Haven't changed the pads recently or anything, although its almost certainly something with them. I'll find out tonight.

Also, don't worry, I realise how lucky I was, just half an hour earlier I was riding back from work, the road is nuts, really twisty, especially the last bit, its a rediculously steep hill, about 5 switchbacks in a row, if it had happened on the way down there I'd be lying in hospital right now, if I was lucky....
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure what could cause the problem you have.

It is possible that an overfilled brake fluid reservior could cause the wheel to lock up when braking (as the fluid expands) even when you release the brakes. It isn't likely though, and also only going to happen when the reservior is VERY full.

The accident itself could easily have allowed air into the system while the bike is on its side which would make them spongy.

I also tend to think that either diesel or antifreeze on the road is the most likely cause. Bad timing would mean that it would not require much of it.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Fallen Angel]

All the rest has been said - just glad you're ok mate!!
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[stinkwheel]

It might have partially spat a pad out which got jammed up between the caliper and the disc and subsequently fell out altogether. I have had this happen on the rear disc of a GPZ500s, luckily it only locked momentarily before spitting the thing all the way out and making a horrendous graunching noise as the piston rubbed against the disc.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Keen]

Stinkwheel, I was asking my dad about it and thats exactly what he suggested, he was telling me to check if the pads are still there when I get home. I'll know tonight I suppose.

I still really don't think it was diesel, I was barely breaking, just scrubbing off speed and the wheel just locked hard. It was horrible because it was so unexpected, was lying on the floor for a second wondering what the hell could have happened..
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Jebus]

good that your ok, what bike you got btw?

[synaptyx]

Glad you're ok Keen. Don't let it put you off mate.

[Keen]

thanks,

a suzuki GS500, thankfully no plastics to replace, in fact the bike is practically unhurt, just a smashed mirror and indicator. My leg acted as a crash bar for it

I don't think it'll put me off, besides, having no choice but to get back on it straight after and get it home probably helped! I crashed a couple of years ago and I was back on as soon as my bike was fixed, I think you just have to accept that it'll happen now and then and learn from it
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Kickstart]

[The Tot]

That's just utter fuckage! Such a shame about your new lid . Check the pads and bleed them thoroughly with FRESH fluid. I've had spongy brakes for a while on my old machine, but never had a lock up.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[pipnet11]

Unlucky, least your OK.

Iv seen lockups caused by pads moving aswell, only on the back wheel though, which is a hell of a lot easier to control of course (if you get a chance to control it)

Phill
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves